Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Gauhati University hosted a strategic discussion on the Quad and its role in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on the deepening ties between India and Australia. Vice Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta and Australian Consul General Bernard Lynch led the event, which examined bilateral progress in trade, maritime security, and education.
Lynch underscored the strength of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting that trade between the two nations has jumped by 200 percent since 2020. This growth is largely credited to the 2022 Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. He added that officials are now negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement to further deepen financial links.
Addressing the current geopolitical climate, Lynch described the Quad as a vital platform for maintaining regional stability. He clarified the nature of the group, stating, "The grouping is not a military alliance," and emphasized that its core mission involves promoting prosperity through cooperation on critical minerals, energy security, and maritime awareness.
A significant portion of the dialogue centered on the Northeast region. Lynch identified the area as a critical connectivity hub linking India to Southeast Asia. Beyond strategic logistics, he highlighted the Direct Aid Program, which supports community resilience, education, and water management projects across several northeastern states.
Academic collaboration also featured prominently, with Prof. Mahanta calling for expanded ties between Australian universities and institutions in the Northeast. Lynch expressed strong interest in these partnerships, noting that the number of institutional links between the two countries grew fivefold between 2007 and 2021.
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